About Sherena
Sherena Barlow
Chartered Physiotherapist
My Experience
I qualified as a Physiotherapist in 2006 from St. George’s Hospital Medical School.
After completing my junior rotations across a range of specialties, I relocated to Chichester in 2011, where I spent over 12 years working in the Orthopaedic Department at St Richard’s Hospital.
During this time, I supported a wide variety of patients following surgery, including hip and knee replacements, shoulder replacements, ankle procedures, hip fractures, and more complex cases involving multiple fractures.
My role involved guiding patients through their early recovery—helping them mobilise safely for the first time, teaching tailored exercises, practising stairs, and working through practical challenges to prepare for returning home. I also provided encouragement and motivation throughout their rehabilitation journey.
A Whole-Person Approach
It was whilst working on the trauma wards that I recognised the importance of addressing psychological factors such as anxiety, low mood or fear of falling if patients were to make a good overall recovery.
I completed a project with a clinical psychologist to better understand how to recognise these challenges, support patients appropriately through the use of a screening tool and a trauma information booklet and signpost them to further support where needed. I also interviewed a number of patients on the hip fracture and general trauma wards about the things they worried about once they were discharged from hospital so I could understand better the support they needed.
Community and Hospice Work
I began working at St Wilfrid’s Hospice as a bank physiotherapist in 2019 and, for the past four years, have worked there four days a week.
This role has allowed me to further develop my ability to assess and treat the whole person, not just their physical condition.
I support patients with palliative diagnoses to maximise their function and manage symptoms such as fatigue, breathlessness and anxiety, with the aim of maintaining or improving their quality of life for as long as possible.
My Personal Experience
In February 2024, shortly after turning 50, I broke my ankle after slipping on a muddy bank whilst walking my dog.
I had an operation at the time to fix my ankle and have had a second operation since to improve the movement of my ankle and reduce discomfort.
This experience has given me a personal insight into recovery, particularly the frustration of not being able to return to activities as quickly as expected, the challenge of maintaining motivation, and the need to continue progressing long after others may assume you are “back to normal".
I also experienced anxiety and flashbacks after my injury and still feel anxious when walking in wet or muddy conditions. This has helped me better understand the emotional impact of injury.
Qualifications and Memberships
BSc (Hons) Physiotherapy, 2006
Member of the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy (CSP)
Registered with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC)
Up to date DBS check